TJ Connection - Summer 2003

Travels and Service
Rev. Christine Brownlie has been invited to be the guest lecturer on worship for the SW District Leadership School in Dallas, TX July 5011. She will also be the pulpit speaker on July 13 at First Jefferson Church where she served as DRE for 13 years. Chris reports that her first chemotherapy is going well and she is feeling strong. We hold her in our thoughts and prayers.

Rev. Danny R. Reed, minister at Unitarian Church of Norfolk (UU) preached the Journey Toward Wholeness sermon on March 23. The special offering will be divided so that one third goes to the UUA Whitney Young Fund for social action and two-thirds remains for congregational projects. Congratulations to Danny Reed and his wife Anita on the birth of their second child.

Ministers Take Sabbatical Leaves
Several ministers are taking the opportunity to renew themselves and their ministries through sabbatical. A partial listing includes Rev. Chris Brownlee; Rev. Ed Piper; Rev. Patrick Price; Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube; Rev. Jim McKinley.

Milestones
Rev. Byrd Tetzlaff was named quarter-time minister/consultant at Harrisonburg UU in Harrisonburg, VA. Her six month contract began April 1 and will be reviewed for possible renewal.

Rev. Dr. Maureen Killoran is busy in her "retirement." She recently conducted a Life Balance Workshop at the UU Fellowship of Statesboro. As a UU minister and life coach, she offers some tools and ideals for getting the most out of the participants lives. Maureen is accepting new clients in her coaching practice, COACH TO GROW (www.coachtogrow.org). She also leads small groups on interfaith pilgrimages to Ireland, Arizona, and the Cherokee lands.

Our deepest condolences to Rev. Rudi Gelsey for the death of his beloved wife, Trudi Gelsey. Trudi died March 28, 2003 after a battle with cancer.

Newly appointed Rev. Bill Phillips will be serving the Unitarians of Coastal Georgia in St Simons, GA on a part-time basis for the year 2003-2004. He will preach one sermon a month, provide pastoral care, and participate with the advisory board and committees and represent the congregation in the religious communities of coastal Georgia.

Rev. Clark Olsen, retired minister in Asheville, NC, received an honorary degree from Starr King School in June 2001. Clark regularly meets with high school students on a trip called “Sojourn to the Past.” They gather at the MLK, Jr. memorial in Atlanta, Clark tells them of the attack on James Reeb, they view the CNN documentary about Selma, and they meet with Congressman John Lewis and others who were active in the civil rights movement. From Elderberries, the Newsletter of the UU Retired Ministers and Partners Association, Feb. 2003

Published Minister
Rev. Meg Barnhouse, Parish Minister in Spartanburg, SC has a new book published by Skinner House. Waking Up the Karma Fairy: Life Lessons and Other Holy Adventures, contains meditations on the humor and wisdom to be found in the everyday life of a liberal minister in the American South.

Transitions:
We welcome the following new Called Ministers to the Thomas Jefferson District:
*Rev. Jeffrey Briere, UU Church of Chattanooga, TN
*Rev. Susan Karlson, UU Fellowship of Wilmington, NC
*Rev. Jeffrey Lamb, Greenville UU Fellowship, SC
*Rev. Jay Leach, UU Church of Charlotte, NC
*Rev. Jake Bohstedt Morrill, Oak Ridge UU Church, TN
*Rev. William Phillips, Unitarians and Universalists of Coastal Georgia, St. Simon's Island, GA *Rev. Dan Rosemergy, Greater Nashville UU Congregation, Nashville, TN
*Rev. Sally White, Unitarian Costal Fellowship, Morehead City, NC

TJ Connection - Summer 2003

Ministerial Matters News By, For & About TJ Ministers

Ministerial Matters
News By, For & About TJ Ministers